Relocating to a different place can substantially impact your life. If you're from Ontario and contemplating moving to another province in Canada, there are various aspects to consider. With ten provinces and three territories comprising the second-largest country in the world by land area, determining which region is best suited for you and your family will depend on several factors. Some of these factors include your preferred surroundings, economic and job market conditions, cost of living, quality of life, and more.

Many people exiting Ontario opt for Alberta when moving from province to province due to its abundant sunshine, comfortable weather spread over four seasons, reliable transportation, and tax advantages.

For a painless move, it's crucial to start completing pre-moving tasks several months before your desired move date. To help ensure a seamless transition from Ontario to Alberta, here are some things to make your move smooth and effortless.

Coordinate Your Move

The first step is coordinating how to transport your belongings and yourself to your new home. Moving provides an excellent opportunity to take inventory of your belongings, and donate or discard things you no longer use. As a bonus, you may save on moving costs with fewer furniture and boxes.

If you're driving to Alberta from Ontario, plan to rest for at least a night, as the drive can take several days. Also, consider whether you want to transport your belongings or pay for moving services. Compare movers to find the best cost with a reputable company and use this checklist to coordinate your move.

Set Up New Providers

Another crucial step is coordinating new providers, including enrolling your child in a new school or childcare, setting up utilities and services in your new home, finding a new doctor, dentist, or dermatologist, and locating new local support services.

Alberta has a residential utilities resource page with electricity and natural gas information. Companies can take up to 90 days to set up services, so consider coordinating them early in your moving process.

You'll also want to formalize a change of address. You can find Canada's change of address directions for personal taxes, tax credits, business taxes, and other services on the Canadian government's website.

Obtain New Identification

You'll also need to obtain new government-issued identification, including a driver's license, within 90 days of moving there. As a Canadian resident moving from Ontario to Alberta, you can exchange your driver's license.

All provinces and territories in Canada also require car insurance to drive legally. You'll also need to register your vehicle in Alberta within 90 days.

If you don't plan to drive, you can acquire a photo ID card in Alberta to use as photo identification. Also, you'll want to research Alberta public transportation options if you'll need them to get to work and around your community.

Register for the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP)

All residents must sign up for the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) to receive insured physician and hospital services. Residents can also purchase private health insurance for health care services that aren't covered. Often, this can be done through an employer.

To apply for AHCIP coverage, you'll need to provide the following:

• Alberta residency documents, such as a driver's license
• Alberta identity documents, such as a passport
• Canada legal entitlement documents, such as a Canadian passport

You can submit the forms in person or by mail. Keep in mind processing times for filing in person are much shorter, around five days, compared to 6 weeks when applying by mail.

Research Alberta Tax Information

You'll also want to research Alberta tax information, as taxes in Alberta differ from other provinces. If you're self-employed or own a business, you'll especially want to know about the different tax requirements once you move to Alberta.

Some things to note:

• Alberta's income tax system lowers overall taxes for residents
• Alberta doesn't have a land transfer tax, which makes it a great place to buy a new home in Canada

Corporations operating in Alberta must file a corporate income tax return with the Alberta Tax and Revenue Administration and pay Alberta corporate income tax. You can find all Alberta tax information on the Alberta government's website.

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